Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers (1 Peter 3:7) In other words, you must treat with respect and sensitivity this fragile creature God has made, called woman. She is fragile not only because you can beat her at arm wrestling, but because you can crush her spirit with brutish words and actions of disrespect. Note the clear warning at the end of this Scripture. Do you want God to listen to your prayers? Then you must honor and value your wife. Here are some ways you can honor your wife:
1. Be sensitive to her needs.
If you ask your wife what she needs and then listen carefully, she will reveal her needs to you. Then ask God to help you meet as many of those needs as you can.
2. Let your actions, as well as your words, show her respect.
Don't sit in front of the television while she washes the dishes, picks up after the kids, gets them to bedm and then does three loads of laundry. She's more than a mommy, a maid, a cook, and a nurse. She's your partner. Besides, if Jesus could wash feet, you can wash dishes.
3. Pay attention to her when she talks to you.
Put down the paper, mute the television, look her in the eyes, and respond in more than monosyllables.
4. Be considerate, and use gentle and kind words with your wife.
You can deeply wound her spirit with harsh, discounting words. It's bad enough when this is done in private, but it's devastating when done in public. Remember, a wounded heart finds it hard to give love.
5. Accept her feelings.
You may not understand them, but you must respect them as real and genuine. Never tell her, "You shouldn't feel that way, Honey." when you say things like that, you're telling her that you think her feelings are stupid.
6. Accept her as she is without comparing her to others.
When you criticize, you are saying: "I don't like you the way you are. Be different, or I won't love you." On the other hand, if you show her that you love and accept her just the way she is, she may change simply because she feels free to do so. Regardless, you must allow her to be all she can be, not all you want her to be.
7. Be faithful and loyal, living up to her trust.
Unfaithfulness is the ultimate dishonor to your wife. Before God, commit yourself to being a faithful husband. Be faithful in your thoughts and actions. When you honor your wife, you honor your marriage. Hebrews 13:4 declares that marriage is valuable and precious to you? Do you see your wife as valuable, precious, and worthy of honor and respect? Remember...you promised.
Friday, 26 August 2016
Labels:Marriage
0 comments:
Post a Comment